Most of the time when I receive money from clients; I will make a bank deposit and at the same time write a check to my church for a portion of the money I receive. I “put aside” that check to the back of my wallet. When Sunday arrives, it makes me feel good to retrieve the check(s) and put them in the offering plate. By this practice, offerings are joyful to me and a part of my worship, rather than burdensome and brain-storming.
“9 Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10.
It is not only a joy to us to so make offerings: it is not only a condition that will result in blessing to us; our offerings are needed: “for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” Verse 9. It is the best investment that we can make, because of that “wide door for effective service”. It also serves as protection to those ministers and missionaries confronted with those “many adversaries”.
“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.
In conclusion, my practice is certainly not done all the time, and the sum of my giving is also not what it could be. But, my practice strives toward being what I have purposed in my heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, but rather toward being cheerful. I pray that this devotion will turn your attention away from myself and toward you and stimulate your thinking as to what would work well for you in accordance with Scripture.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 